Manchester United could delay plans to sign a new midfielder until the summer under Ruben Amorim’s transfer strategy, journalist Samuel Luckhurst has revealed.
The Old Trafford side are expected to bolster their options in the middle of the park with a new arrival in 2026 and are believed to have earmarked the trio of Adam Wharton, Elliot Anderson and Carlos Baleba as potential targets.
Amorim reportedly wants to continue with the strategy of welcoming Premier League-proven stars to Old Trafford, which may lead United to wait until after the season to secure one of their targets.
If none of Wharton, Anderson and Baleba are available in January, United would reportedly be willing to wait until the summer rather than chasing a player of less interest from outside the Premier League.
The summer transfer window saw United add Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha following their career-best seasons with Brentford and Wolves, respectively, as well as bring in Benjamin Sesko and Senne Lammens.
Ruben Amorim Wants Another Premier League Star
Carlos Baleba during a Brighton & Hove Albion pre-match warm-up
According to Luckhurst, Man United are still weighing up their midfield options ahead of the market reopening in January and continue tracking the trio of Wharton, Anderson and Baleba.
The Red Devils targeted the latter in the summer transfer window but pulled their pursuit after learning of Brighton’s hefty transfer demands, reportedly standing at £120m.
As GIVEMESPORT reported previously, Baleba remains top of the shortlist for United and would be ‘very keen’ on joining forces with Amorim in 2026.
The Cameroonian midfielder’s camp held positive conversations with United in August, but Brighton were reluctant to sell and are likely to maintain their stance in January.
A move for Anderson would likely cost at least £50m next year, following the midfielder’s emergence as one of England’s top talents.
The Nottingham Forest ace has won the trust of Thomas Tuchel in recent months and looks well-placed to be an important part of the England squad during the 2026 World Cup.
Wharton, meanwhile, could prove the most difficult to attain next summer, with Crystal Palace aiming to tie the midfielder to a new long-term contract.
The Eagles have held talks with the 21-year-old’s representatives over a new deal, despite his current terms running until the summer of 2029.